"Take care, there's no reason you should knock things over because you are overjoyed," cried Jasper, gaily. "Well, let's leave our letters to-day, Polly, and set to on the Round Robin."
"All right," said Polly, glad to think there was anything she could really do to please the little old earl, "but would your mother like it, Tom?" She stopped slowly in putting her unfinished letter into the little writing-case, and looked at him.
"If you think there's a shadow of doubt on that score, I'd best run and ask her now." Tom got himself out of the chair, and himself from the room, and in an incredibly short space of time, back there he was. "My mother says, 'Thank Polly for thinking of it; it will do father more good than anything else could possibly do.'"
"I don't suppose you want any more answer," said Tom, quite radiant, and looking down at Polly.
"No, only I didn't think first of it," said Polly, in a distressed little tone.
"Why, Polly Pepper!" exclaimed Tom, "I certainly heard you say 'Round Robin,' when I'll venture to say not a soul of us had even thought of it; we certainly hadn't said so."
"Well, you spoke of the letter first," said Polly, unwilling to take the credit for all the comfort going to the little old earl, "and I shall tell your mother so, Tom."
"But I didn't say 'Round Robin,'" persisted Tom, "wasn't smart enough to think of it."
"And let's get to work," cried Jasper, huddling up his three letters. "I'll post yours, too, Polly; give them here."
"O dear, my stamps are all gone," said Polly, peering into the little box in one corner of her writing-case.
"I've plenty," said Jasper, hurrying off; "I'll stick on two for you."
"Oh, no, Jasper," cried Polly, after him, "you know Mamsie would not allow me to borrow."
"It isn't borrowing," said Jasper, turning back slowly. "I'll give them to you, Polly."
"But Mamsie said when we started I should get my stamps when I needed them," said Polly. "You know she did, Jasper."
"Yes, she did," said Jasper, uncomfortably. Then his face brightened, and he said, "And she's right, Polly," while Polly fished a franc out of Joel's little money-bag that hung at her belt. "Do get the stamps, please, Jasper, and put them on," as he took up her two letters. And she gave the bag a little pat for Joel's sake, wishing it was his stubby black hair that her fingers could touch.
